Evidence Action Deworm the World Initiative Program Lead Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Evidence Action is seeking a Program Lead for its Deworm the World Initiative in Nairobi, Kenya.  

About Evidence Action: Evidence Action scales proven interventions to improve the lives of the poor in Africa and Asia. We implement cost-effective interventions whose efficacy is backed by substantial rigorous evidence. 

We identify innovative, appropriate financing mechanisms and build best practice operational models. We voraciously self-evaluate, learn, and improve our models for scaling with a commitment to transparency on progress, impact, and value for money.

Deworm the World Initiative is one of our flagship programs.  Evidence Action actively supports the scale-up of school-based deworming programs worldwide to improve children’s health, education, and long-term development. 

We have a strong, existing partnership with the Government of Kenya as the technical implementation partner and fiscal agent for Kenya’s National School-Based Deworming Program, which is jointly implemented by the ministries of education and health with funding from The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and The END Fund. 


The Kenya program has successfully completed two years of nationwide school-based deworming, reaching close to 6 million children and earning global recognition for its collaborative achievements. 

Now entering its third year, the program is maturing and placing greater focus on institutionalization within government systems, particularly in recognition of Kenya’s ongoing devolution to county governance structures.

About the Position: Program Lead, Deworm the World Initiative

Evidence Action seeks a dynamic, strategic leader who brings deep experience working with governments and managing toward results to lead technical support to the Government of Kenya. 

The Program Lead will head the DtWI Kenya team responsible for successful program implementation and institutionalization of the National School-Based Deworming Program. 

He/she will have a keen ability to proactively guide programmatic decisions, strong project management and partnership skills, and a high degree of fluency in communications

The Program Lead will have an unfailing commitment to ensuring that DtWI provides the highest quality technical assistance and support necessary for achievement of program goals, and ultimate responsibility for DtWI’s role in ensuring that the program achieves its intended goals and impact. 

This person will report in a matrixed fashion to both the Deputy Director of the Africa Region and the Director of the Deworm the World Initiative, and will be accountable to the program’s Steering Committee, which consists of senior Government officials. 

Responsibilities:

Strategy implementation: 

• Lead and collaborate on high-level strategic decisions about program goals and objectives, and lead team to achieve set course through development of concrete timelines and deliverables.

Partnerships and Collaboration: 

• Skilled at building and maintaining collaborative relationships with senior government officials at both the national and county level. 
• As you will be supporting a government program, your skills at relationship-building with senior government officials will be of the upmost importance.
• You will also be the key liaison with core funders for the Kenya program, with ultimate responsibility for achievement of agreed milestones and key performance indicators.

Program Implementation and Institutionalization: 

• Collaborate with members of the DtWI global and other country teams to share information, adopting best practices from other programs and ensuring that the Kenya program contributes to the knowledge base around school-based deworming within DtWI and globally.  

Ensure technical quality of program implementation: 

• Provide technical support and expertise to government stakeholders that is grounded in best practice and evidence. 
• Utilize cross-cutting functions at Evidence Action (for policy; monitoring, learning and information systems) strategically to ensure to achieve programmatic objectives. 

Critically evaluate and refine program activities: 

• With implementation running smoothly, DtWI must determine when and how to transition programmatic responsibilities to the government without sacrificing program reach. 
• This will require a comprehensive understanding of program functioning and government capacity, and the ability to translate conceptual vision into concrete activities.

People management: Manage a high-performing team across operations, policy, and technical.

Financial management: Responsible for ensuring program remains within budget, lead overall program budgeting and oversee financial reporting including approval of program financial transactions and statements.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Track record of inspiring and empowering teams with the right level of structure and direction (at least 5 years of senior management and leadership experience).
• Demonstrated project management capability and love for developing a good GANTT chart.
• Experience working with government programs, including collaborating with senior government officials at national and sub-national levels.
• Experience working in East Africa with an in-depth familiarity with the Kenyan context.
• High level of comfort with information technology and using data for decision-making.
• A critical, analytical, and process-oriented thinker with a willingness to form and adjust opinions and course-correct, based on evidence and results.
• Track record of being a good steward of program funding and responsibly managing resources and alignment with our philosophy of building cost-effective programs.
• Excellent oral and written communicator.
• A strong commitment to evidence-based practice and policy in the development field.
• Enthusiasm for leading in a fast-moving, start-up environment.

To apply, send your CV and cover letter to kenyajobs@evidenceaction.org with a subject line that reads: “Kenya Program Lead, Deworm the World Initiative”. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by phone and email for an interview. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.